Methods of Making Metal Halide Perovskites

ABSTRACT

Methods of making metal halide perovskites, including methods of making micro crystals of metal halide perovskites. The metal halide perovskites, including the micro crystals, may have a 0D structure. The metal halide perovskites may be a light emitting material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/861,816, filed Jan. 4, 2018, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/270,259, filed Sep. 20, 2016. The content of these applications is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Hybrid organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites, which include a wide range of organic cations and inorganic anions, are a class of crystalline materials that can have structural tunability. By choosing appropriate organic and inorganic components, the crystallographic structures can be controlled with the inorganic metal halide octahedrons forming various crystal structures surrounded by organic moieties (see, e.g., Mitzi, D. B. Journal of the Chemical Society-Dalton Transactions, 1-12 (2001); Gonzalez-Carrero, S., et al. Part Part Syst Char 32, 709-720 (2015); and Saparov, B. et al. Chem Rev 116, 4558-4596 (2016)). The integration of useful functionalities of both organic and inorganic portions within a single bulk assembly can enable these materials to possess unique electronic, magnetic, and optical properties. In recent years, the use of hybrid organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites in optoelectronic devices has been explored, including photovoltaic cells (PVs), light emitting diodes (LEDs), photodetectors, and optically pumped lasers (see, e.g., Kojima, A., et al. J Am Chem Soc 131, 6050 (2009); Tan, Z. K. et al. Nat Nanotechnol 9, 687-692 (2014); Ling, Y. C. et al. Adv Mater 28, 305-311 (2016); Dou, L. T. et al. Nat Commun 5 (2014); Xing, G. C. et al. Nature Materials 13, 476-480 (2014); and Stranks, S. D. et al. Nat Nanotechnol 10, 391-402 (2015).

The chemistry of metal halide perovskites can enable band gap control and color tuning. Highly luminescent 2D, quasi-2D, and 3D perovskites have been obtained with tunable, narrow emissions, by controlling chemical composition and quantum confinement (see, e.g., Protesescu, L. et al. Nano Lett 15, 3692-3696 (2015); Sichert, J. A. et al. Nano Lett 15, 6521-6527 (2015); Dou, L. T. et al. Science 349, 1518-1521 (2015); and Yuan, Z. et al. Chem Commun 52, 3887-3890 (2016)). Broadband emissions across the entire visible spectrum have also been realized in corrugated-2D and 1D perovskites (see, e.g., Dohner, E. R., et al. J Am Chem Soc 136, 1718-1721 (2014); Dohner, E. R., et al. J Am Chem Soc 136, 13154-13157 (2014); Hu, T. et al. J Phys Chem Lett 7, 2258-2263 (2016); Cortecchia, D. et al. arXiv 1603.01284 (2016)). Color tunability and high photoluminescence quantum efficiency (PLQE) can make metal halide perovskites desirable light-emitting materials. The research regarding hybrid organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites, however, has focused on 3D and 2D structures instead of 1D and 0D structures (see, e.g., Takeoka, Y., et al. Chem Lett 34, 602-603 (2005)).

Also, most high performance perovskites developed to date contain lead, which is a toxic heavy metal. Therefore, the use of lead can, in some instances, present a challenge for the potential adoption of these materials because all lead-free metal halide perovskites discovered to date, such as tin and bismuth perovskites, have shown low PLQEs (see, e.g., Noel, N. K. et al. Energ Environ Sci 7, 3061-3068 (2014); Hao, F., et al. Nat Photonics 8, 489-494 (2014); Park, B. W. et al. Adv Mater 27, 6806 (2015); Jellicoe, T. C. et al. J Am Chem Soc 138, 2941-2944 (2016); and Peedikakkandy, L. et al. Rsc Advances 6, 19857-19860 (2016). For example, the 0D perovskite (CH₃NH₃)₄PbI₆.2H₂O is non-emissive, and has low stability under ambient conditions (Takeoka, Y., et al. Chem Lett 34, 602-603 (2005)).

Therefore, perovskite materials having structures other than 1D, 2D or 3D, and are stable, efficient, color tunable, lead free, and/or have a relatively high PLQE are desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Provided herein are metal halide perovskites comprising a crystal having a 0D structure, and a unit cell according to formula (I),

R_(a)[MX₆]X_(d)  (I);

wherein R is an organic ligand; a is 1 to 8; M is a metal atom; X is a halide ion selected from Cl, Br, or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 2 to 10. In embodiments, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl substituted with at least one of a protonated primary amine, a protonated secondary amine, or a protonated tertiary amine. The metal atom may be Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu.

Also provided herein are devices, including optoelectronic devices, comprising the metal halide perovskites of formula (I). The metal halide perovskites of formula (I) may be a light emitting material in the devices, which can include a photovoltaic cell, a light emitting diode, a light emitting electrochemical cell, a photodetector, or an optically pumped laser.

Also provided herein are methods of making a metal halide perovskite according to formula (I). In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting an organic ligand halide salt with a metal halide in a liquid to form a precursor liquid, and adding a precipitant to the precursor liquid to form one or more bulk single crystals of the metal halide perovskite. Microsize crystals of the metal halide perovskites of formula (I) also may be made by contacting an organic ligand halide salt with a metal halide in a liquid to form a precursor liquid; and mixing the precursor liquid with an organic liquid to form microsize crystals of the metal halide perovskite.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A depicts a crystal structure of one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite.

FIG. 1B depicts a single unit cell structure of the crystal of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a depiction of a space filling model of one embodiment of a crystal structure with a single octahedral MX₆.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the powder X-ray diffraction patterns of one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite in bulk crystal form and micro crystal form.

FIG. 3 is a plot of thermogravimetric analysis data collected for one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite in bulk crystal form and micro crystal form, and for SnBr₂ and C₄N₂H₁₄Br₂.

FIG. 4A is a 2D AFM image of one embodiment of a microsize crystal.

FIG. 4B is a 3D AFM image of the microsize crystal of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a height profile of the 2D AFM image of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is an SEM image of one embodiment of a micro size metal halide perovskite crystal.

FIG. 5B is an SEM image of one embodiment of a micro size metal halide perovskite crystal.

FIG. 5C is an SEM image of one embodiment of a micro size metal halide perovskite crystal.

FIG. 5D is an SEM image of one embodiment of a micro size metal halide perovskite crystal.

FIG. 6 includes images of bulk and microsize crystals of one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite under ambient light and UV light.

FIG. 7 depicts absorption and emission spectra of one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite in bulk crystal and micro crystal form.

FIG. 8 depicts the mechanism of exciton self-trapping of one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite.

FIG. 9 depicts the spectra for a PLQE measurement of one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite.

FIG. 10 depicts the emission decays at room temperature and 77 K of one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite having a bulk crystal size and micro crystal size.

FIG. 11 depicts the emission intensity versus excitation power for bulk and micro crystals of one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite.

FIG. 12 depicts the emission spectra (excited at 360 nm) at 77 K of bulk and micro crystals of one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite.

FIG. 13 depicts the photoluminescence stability of one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite under continuous illumination using a high power mercury lamp (150 mW/cm²).

FIG. 14 depicts the normalized excitation and emission spectra of a commercial blue phosphor and one embodiment of a metal halide perovskite that is a yellow phosphor.

FIG. 15 includes images of different embodiments of blue and yellow phosphors, and their blends with different weight ratios.

FIG. 16 depicts emission spectra of one embodiment of a UV pumped light emitting diode with different blending ratios of blue and yellow phosphors.

FIG. 17 depicts a chromaticity chart for one embodiment of a UV pumped light emitting diode with different blending ratios of blue and yellow phosphors.

FIG. 18 depicts emission spectra of one embodiment of a UV pumped white light emitting diode at different driving currents.

FIG. 19 depicts emission spectra of one embodiment of a UV pumped white light emitting diode operated in air for more than eight hours with a brightness of about 400 cd/m₂.

FIG. 20 depicts emission spectra of one embodiment of a 0D tin iodide perovskite.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein are metal halide perovskites having a 0D crystal structure, including lead-free metal halide perovskites. The metal halide perovskites are stable and/or have advantageous luminescent properties, and the lead-free metal halide perovskites can be environmentally friendly. For example, the metal halide perovskites having a 0D structure may exhibit Gaussian-shaped and strongly Stokes shifted yellow emission with PLQEs of 95±5%. The metal halide perovskites, including the lead-free metal halide perovskites, may be stable in air, including at ambient temperature and pressure. The metal halide perovskites provided herein may have a bulk crystalline form or a microsize crystalline form.

In embodiments, the metal halide perovskites provided herein have a 0D structure, and a unit cell according to formula (I):

R_(a)[MX₆]X_(d)  (I);

wherein R is an organic ligand; a is 2 to 8; M is a metal atom; X is a halide ion selected from Cl, Br, or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 2 to 10. The metal atom may be Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu. In one embodiment, R is an organic ligand, a is 3 to 5; M is Sn; X is Br; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In a further embodiment, R is an organic ligand, a is 4, M is Sn; X is Br; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4. In another embodiment, R is an organic ligand, a is 3 to 5; M is Sn; X is I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In yet another embodiment, R is an organic ligand, a is 4, M is Sn; X is I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4.

Metal Atom

The metal atom of formula (I) may be capable of forming the octahedral structure “MX₆”, wherein X is a halide ion selected from Cl, Br, or I. The metal atom, in embodiments, is selected from Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu.

Organic Ligand

The organic ligand of formula (I) generally may have any structure that is compatible with the 0D crystal structure of the metal halide perovskites. For example, the organic ligand may include one or more positively charged moieties, such as an amine. The positively charged moieties may interact favorably with the negatively charged halide ions in the metal halide perovskites.

In one embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with at least one positively charged moiety, such as a positively charged amine. In a certain embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with two to four positively charged moieties, such as two to four positively charged amines. In a particular embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl that is substituted with at least one of a protonated primary amine, a protonated secondary amine, or a protonated tertiary amine. In a further embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl that is substituted with two to four protonated secondary amines. A protonated primary amine may have the following structure: —NH₃ ⁺. A protonated secondary amine may have the following structure: —NH₂R′⁺, wherein R′ is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl. A protonated tertiary amine may have the following structure: —NHR″R′″⁺, wherein R″ and R′″ independently are a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl.

The phrase “C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl,” as used herein, generally refers to aliphatic groups containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of aliphatic groups, in each instance, include, but are not limited to, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkadienyl group, a cyclic group, and the like, and includes all substituted, unsubstituted, branched, and linear analogs or derivatives thereof, in each instance having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, heptyl, 4,4-dimethylpentyl, octyl, 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl and dodecyl. Cycloalkyl moieties may be monocyclic or multicyclic, and examples include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and adamantyl. Additional examples of alkyl moieties have linear, branched and/or cyclic portions (e.g., 1-ethyl-4-methyl-cyclohexyl). Representative alkenyl moieties include vinyl, allyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, isobutylenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-methyl-1-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 1-heptenyl, 2-heptenyl, 3-heptenyl, 1-octenyl, 2-octenyl, 3-octenyl, 1-nonenyl, 2-nonenyl, 3-nonenyl, 1-decenyl, 2-decenyl and 3-decenyl. Representative alkynyl moieties include acetylenyl, propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-methyl-1-butynyl, 4-pentynyl, 1-hexynyl, 2-hexynyl, 5-hexynyl, 1-heptynyl, 2-heptynyl, 6-heptynyl, 1-octynyl, 2-octynyl, 7-octynyl, 1-nonynyl, 2-nonynyl, 8-nonynyl, 1-decynyl, 2-decynyl and 9-decynyl.

The phrase “C₆-C₂₀ aryl,” as used herein, refers to aryl or aromatic moieties that include from 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of aryl or aromatic moieties include, but are not limited to, anthracenyl, azulenyl, biphenyl, fluorenyl, indan, indenyl, naphthyl, phenanthrenyl, phenyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene, and the like, including substituted derivatives thereof. Substituted derivatives of aromatic compounds include, but are not limited to, tolyl, xylyl, mesityl, and the like, including any heteroatom substituted derivative thereof. Examples of cyclic groups, in each instance, include, but are not limited to, cycloparaffins, cycloolefins, cycloacetylenes, arenes such as phenyl, bicyclic groups and the like, including substituted derivatives thereof, in each instance having from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms. Thus heteroatom-substituted cyclic groups such as furanyl are also included herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “substituted,” when used to describe a chemical structure or moiety, refers to a derivative of that structure or moiety wherein one or more of its hydrogen atoms is substituted with a chemical moiety or functional group such as alcohol, alkoxy, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenyl, alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, t-butyl), alkynyl, alkylcarbonyloxy (—OC(O)alkyl), amide (—C(O)NH-alkyl- or -alkylNHC(O)alkyl), tertiary amine (such as alkylamino, arylamino, arylalkylamino), aryl, aryloxy, azo, carbamoyl (—NHC(O)O-alkyl- or —OC(O)NH-alkyl), carbamyl (e.g., CONH₂, as well as CONH-alkyl, CONH-aryl, and CONH-arylalkyl), carboxyl, carboxylic acid, cyano, ester, ether (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy), halo, haloalkyl (e.g., —CCl₃, —CF₃, —C(CF₃)₃), heteroalkyl, isocyanate, isothiocyanate, nitrile, nitro, phosphodiester, sulfide, sulfonamido (e.g., SO₂NH₂), sulfone, sulfonyl (including alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl and arylalkylsulfonyl), sulfoxide, thiol (e.g., sulfhydryl, thioether) or urea (—NHCONH-alkyl-).

In one embodiment of the metal halide perovskite of formula (I), the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with at least one positively charged moiety; a is 3 to 5; M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In another embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with at least one positively charged moiety, a is 4, M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4. In a further embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with at least one positively charged moiety, a is 4, M is Sn; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4.

In one embodiment of the metal halide perovskite of formula (I), the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with two positively charged moieties; a is 3 to 5; M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In another embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with two positively charged moieties, a is 4, M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4. In a further embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with two positively charged moieties, a is 4, M is Sn; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4.

In one embodiment of the metal halide perovskite of formula (I), the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with at least one of a protonated primary amine, a protonated secondary amine, or a protonated tertiary amine; a is 3 to 5; M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In another, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with at least one of a protonated primary amine, a protonated secondary amine, or a protonated tertiary amine; a is 4, M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4. In a further embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with at least one of a protonated primary amine, a protonated secondary amine, or a protonated tertiary amine; a is 4, M is Sn; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4.

In one embodiment of the metal halide perovskite of formula (I), the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with two protonated secondary amines; a is 3 to 5; M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In another embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with two protonated secondary amines; a is 4, M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4. In a further embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with two protonated secondary amines; a is 4, M is Sn; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4.

In one embodiment of the metal halide perovskite of formula (I), the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with three protonated secondary amines; a is 3 to 5; M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In another embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with three protonated secondary amines; a is 4, M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4. In a further embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with three protonated secondary amines; a is 4, M is Sn; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4.

In one embodiment of the metal halide perovskite of formula (I), the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with four protonated secondary amines; a is 3 to 5; M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In another embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with four protonated secondary amines; a is 4, M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4. In a further embodiment, the organic ligand is a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl substituted with four protonated secondary amines; a is 4, M is Sn; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4.

In one embodiment, the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (A):

wherein each of R₁-R₆ is independently selected from hydrogen or a monovalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, and R₇ is a divalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or C₆-C₂₀ aryl. In another embodiment, R₇ is a divalent, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ hydrocarbyl, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (B):

In a further embodiment, R₇ is a divalent, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ hydrocarbyl, each of R₂, R₃, R₅, and R₆ is hydrogen, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (C):

In a still further embodiment, R₇ is a divalent, unsubstituted C₁-C₄ hydrocarbyl, each of R₂, R₃, R₅, and R₆ is hydrogen, each of R₁ and R₄ is independently a monovalent, unsubstituted C₁-C₃ hydrocarbyl, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (D):

In a particular embodiment, R₇ is a divalent, unsubstituted C₆ aryl, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (E), which may be ortho-, meta-, or para-substituted:

In a further embodiment, R₇ is a divalent, unsubstituted C₆ aryl, each of R₂, R₃, R₅, and R₆ are hydrogen, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (F):

In a still further embodiment, R₇ is a divalent, unsubstituted C₆ aryl, each of R₂, R₃, R₅, and R₆ is hydrogen, each of R₁ and R₄ is independently a monovalent, unsubstituted C₁-C₃ hydrocarbyl, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (G):

In one embodiment, the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (H):

wherein each of R₁ and R₃ is independently selected from a divalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, and each of R₂, R₄, and R₅ is independently selected from hydrogen or a monovalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl. In another embodiment, R₂ is hydrogen, R₄ and R₅ are independently monovalent, unsubstituted C₁-C₃ hydrocarbyls, and R₁ and R₃ are independently divalent, unsubstituted C₂-C₄ hydrocarbyls, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (I):

In a further embodiment, R₂ is a divalent, substituted C₂-C₄ hydrocarbyl, wherein the substituent is a secondary amine, R₄ and R₅ are independently monovalent, unsubstituted C₁-C₃ hydrocarbyls, and R₁ and R₃ are independently divalent, unsubstituted C₂-C₄ hydrocarbyls, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (J):

In one embodiment, the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (K):

wherein R₁ and R₅ are independently selected from a monovalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or hydrogen, R₂ and R₄ are independently selected from a divalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, and R₃ is a divalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or a divalent C₆-C₂₀ aryl. In a particular embodiment, R₁ and R₅ independently are unsubstituted, monovalent C₁-C₃ hydrocarbyls, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are independently unsubstituted, divalent C₂-C₄ hydrocarbyls, and the organic ligand has a structure according to the following formula (L):

In one embodiment, the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (M):

wherein n is 0 or 1, each of R₁-R₄ and R₈ is independently selected from a divalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, and each of R₅-R₇ is independently selected from a monovalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or hydrogen. In a particular embodiment, n is 1, R₁-R₄ independently are unsubstituted, divalent C₁-C₄ hydrocarbyls, R₈ is an unsubstituted, divalent C₁-C₃ hydrocarbyl, and R₅-R₇ independently are unsubstituted, monovalent C₁-C₃ hydrocarbyls, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (N):

(N).

In a further embodiment, n is 0, R₁-R₃ are unsubstituted, divalent C₁-C₄ hydrocarbyls, and R₅-R₇ are unsubstituted, monovalent C₁-C₃ hydrocarbyls, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (O):

In one embodiment, the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (P):

wherein m is 0 or 1, n is 1-4, each R₁ is independently selected from a divalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, and each R₂ is independently selected from a monovalent C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or hydrogen. In a particular embodiment, m is 0, n is 3, and R₂ is an unsubstituted, monovalent C₁-C₃ hydrocarbyl, and the organic ligand is a compound according to the following formula (Q):

In one embodiment of the metal halide perovskite of formula (I), the organic ligand is selected from a compound of formula (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), (L), (M), (N), (O), (P), (Q), or a combination thereof; a is 3 to 5; M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In another embodiment, the organic ligand is selected from a compound of formula (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), (L), (M), (N), (O), (P), (Q), or a combination thereof; a is 4, M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4. In a further embodiment, the organic ligand is selected from a compound of formula (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), (L), (M), (N), (O), (P), (Q), or a combination thereof; a is 4, M is Sn; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4.

In one embodiment, the organic ligand is selected from a compound according to structures (1)-(10):

In one embodiment of the metal halide perovskite of formula (I), the organic ligand is selected from compound (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), or a combination thereof; a is 3 to 5; M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In another embodiment, the organic ligand is selected from compound (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), or a combination thereof; a is 4, M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4. In a further embodiment, the organic ligand is selected from compound (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), or a combination thereof; a is 4, M is Sn; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4.

In one embodiment, the organic ligand is N,N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diammonium, which has the following structure:

In one embodiment of the metal halide perovskite of formula (I), the organic ligand is N,N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diammonium; a is 3 to 5; M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 3 to 5. In another embodiment, the organic ligand is N,N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diammonium; a is 4, M is Sn, Cu, Ge, Mn, Co, Pb, Bi, or Eu; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; and d is 4. In a further embodiment, the organic ligand is N,N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diammonium; a is 4, M is Sn; X is Br or I; MX₆ has an octahedral structure; d is 4; and the unit cell has the following formula: (C₄N₂H₁₄)₄[SnBr₆]Br₄.

Crystal Size

In embodiments, the metal halide perovskites provided herein are bulk crystals. As used herein, the phrases “bulk crystals” or “bulk crystalline form” generally refer to crystals having at least one dimension that is 500 μm or greater.

In embodiments, the metal halide perovskites provided herein are micro crystals. As used herein, the phrases “micro crystals” or “microsize crystals” generally refer to crystals having an average largest dimension of about 15 μm to about 100 μm, as determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In one embodiment, the micro crystals have an average largest dimension of about 15 μm to about 50 μm. The micro crystals may be a powder.

0D Structure

In embodiments, the metal halide perovskites provided herein have a 0D crystal structure. The phrases “0D crystal structure” or “0D structure,” as used herein, refer to crystals having, within each unit cell, an octahedral metal halide species that is separated from one or more octahedral metal halide species of adjacent unit cells by one or more organic ligands and/or one or more halide ions.

In one embodiment, the metal halide perovskite having a 0D structure is a tin bromide perovskite, as shown at FIG. 1A, having unit cells of the following formula: (C₄N₂H₁₄)₄SnBr₁₀.

A unit cell of this formula is depicted at FIG. 1B, which includes an individual tin bromide octahedron (SnBr₆ ⁴⁻) surrounded by C₄N₂H₁₄ ²⁺ and BP ions. Therefore, the foregoing formula may be rewritten as (C₄N₂H₁₄)₄[SnBr₆]Br₄. Similarly, FIG. 1C is a depiction of a space filling model of a core-shell quantum dot structure with SnBr₆ ⁴⁻ completely covered by C₄N₂H₁₄ ²⁺ and BP ions. Therefore, as shown at FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, the tin halide octahedral SnBr₆ ⁴⁻ ions of this embodiment are completely isolated from each other and surrounded by C₄N₂H₁₄ ²⁺ and BP ions, which forms a bulk assembly of core-shell quantum dot like structures. Not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the strong quantum confinement in such a 0D structure can result in efficient exciton self-trapping that produces broadband yellow emission. In embodiments, the metal halide perovskites provided herein achieve broadband yellow light emission with near-unity quantum efficiency at room temperature.

In one embodiment, the metal halide perovskite having a 0D structure is a tin iodide perovskite, having unit cells of the following formula: (C₄N₂H₁₄)₄SnI₁₀.

In embodiments, the metal halide perovskites provided herein achieve broadband red light emission with near-unity quantum efficiency at room temperature.

In one embodiment, the metal halide perovskites provided herein have a PLQE of at least 90%. In another embodiment, the metal halide perovskites provided herein have a PLQE of at least 95%. In yet another embodiment, the metal halide perovskites provided herein have a PLQE of at least 98%. In a still further embodiment, the metal halide perovskites provided herein have a PLQE of at least 99%.

Methods

Methods are provided herein for making metal halide perovskites. The methods may be used to produce bulk and/or microsize crystals of the metal halide perovskites, which may have a 0D structure.

In embodiments, the methods comprise forming an organic ligand halide salt by contacting an organic ligand precursor with an acid of the formula HX, wherein X is a halogen. The halogen may be Cl, Br, or I; therefore, the acid may be HCl, HBr, HI, or any combination thereof. Any amount of acid may be used that is effective to form the organic ligand halide salt. In one embodiment, about 1.5 to about 3.0 equivalents of the acid of the formula HX is used to form the organic ligand halide salt. In another embodiment, about 2.0 to about 2.5 equivalents of the acid of the formula HX is used to form the organic ligand halide salt. In a still further embodiment, about 2.2 equivalents of the acid of the formula HX is used to form the organic ligand halide salt.

The organic ligand halide salt may be a halide salt of any of formulas (A)-(Q) or (1)-(10). In one embodiment, the organic ligand halide salt is N,N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diammonium bromide, and the organic ligand precursor is N, N′-dimethylethylenediamine. In another embodiment, the organic ligand halide salt is N,N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diammonium iodide, and the organic ligand precursor is N, N′-dimethylethylenediamine.

In embodiments, the methods provided herein comprise contacting an organic ligand halide salt with a metal halide in a liquid to form a precursor liquid; and adding a precipitant to the precursor solution to form one or more bulk single crystals of the metal halide perovskite. The metal halide and the organic ligand halide salt may be present in the precursor liquid at a molar ratio of about 1:2 to about 1:6; about 1:3 to about 1:5, or about 1:4. The liquid generally may be any liquid capable of facilitating crystal formation, especially upon addition of the precipitant. In one embodiment, the liquid is a polar organic solvent, such as dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), γ-butyrolactone (GBL). In a particular embodiment, the liquid is dimethylformamide (DMF). The precipitant may be any liquid capable of facilitating crystallization from the precursor liquid. In a particular embodiment, the precipitant is dichloromethane (DCM). Other liquids and precipitants are envisioned. The precipitant may be added to the precursor liquid at room temperature. The precipitant may be added over a period of about 5 to 12 hours. The bulk crystals may be produced at a yield of at least 50%, at least 60%, or at least 70%.

In embodiments, the methods provided herein comprise contacting an organic ligand halide salt with a metal halide in a liquid to form a precursor liquid; and mixing the precursor liquid with an organic liquid, such as toluene, to form micro crystals of the metal halide perovskite. The metal halide and the organic ligand halide salt may be present in the precursor liquid at a molar ratio of about 1:2 to about 1:6; about 1:3 to about 1:5, or about 1:4. The liquid generally may be any liquid capable of facilitating crystal formation, especially upon addition of the precursor liquid to the organic liquid. In one embodiment, the liquid is a polar organic solvent, such as dimethylformamide (DMF). Stirring may be used to facilitate micro crystal formation upon, during, and/or after addition of the precursor liquid to the organic liquid. In a particular embodiment, the volume ratio of precursor liquid to organic liquid, upon complete addition of the precursor liquid to the organic liquid, is about 1:2 to about 1:6, from about 1:3 to about 1:5, or about 1:4. The precursor liquid and the organic liquid may be combined in an inert atmosphere, such as in a nitrogen glove box. The micro crystals may be produced at a yield of at least about 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80%.

In embodiments, the metal halide used in the methods provided herein is tin(II) bromide. In another embodiment, the metal halide used in the methods provided herein is bismuth(III) bromide. In a further embodiment, the metal halide used in the methods provided herein is tin(II) iodide.

Devices

Provided herein are devices that include one or more metal halide perovskites. The metal halide perovskites provided herein, in embodiments, are light emitting materials in the devices. The metal halide perovskites may emit light that is blue, green, yellow, orange, or red. Not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the color emitted by the metal halide perovskites provided herein can be changed or tuned by changing the metal atom, the halide ion, the organic ligand, or a combination thereof.

In embodiments, the devices comprise at least two metal halide perovskites that emit light of different colors. For example, the devices may include a first metal halide perovskite that emits blue light, and a second metal halide perovskite that emits red light. As a further example, the devices may include a first metal halide perovskite that emits blue light, a second metal halide perovskite that emits red light, and a third metal halide perovskite that emits green light. In certain embodiments, the devices herein include full color displays. The full color display may be provided by two or more metal halide perovskites that emit light of different colors; or, alternatively, the full color display may be provided by a combination of one or more metal halide perovskites and one or more other materials, each of the materials and one or more metal halide perovskites emitting different colors of light.

The devices include optoelectronic devices, such as a photovoltaic cell, a light emitting diode, a light emitting electrochemical cell, a photodetector, and an optically pumped laser. In embodiments, the devices provided herein are solid-state lighting devices.

In embodiments, a metal halide perovskite is a yellow phosphor in the devices provided herein. The yellow phosphor may be mixed with one or more other phosphors, which may be of different colors. For example, in one embodiment, the devices include one or more of the metal halide perovskites provided herein as a yellow phosphor, and the yellow phosphor is mixed with a blue phosphor. In a particular embodiment, the yellow phosphor is mixed with europium-doped barium magnesium aluminates (BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu⁺), which is a commercial blue phosphor. In a further embodiment, the devices provided herein are white light emitting devices.

In embodiments, the light emitting diodes comprise an anode, a cathode, and a light emitting layer. The light emitting diodes also may include at least one of an electron transport layer and a hole transport layer. The anode may comprise indium tin oxide (ITO). The cathode may comprise LiF/Al. In particular embodiments, the light emitting diodes may further comprise at least one of a hole injection layer, an electron injection layer, a hole blocking layer, and an electron blocking layer. In one embodiment, the light emitting layer comprises at least one of the metal halide perovskites of formula (I).

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other aspects, embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention or the scope of the appended claims. Thus, other aspects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.

The following materials were used in the Examples: tin (II) bromide, N, N′-dimethylethylenediamine (99%) (Sigma-Aldrich); hydrobromic acid (48 wt. % in H₂O) (Sigma-Aldrich); dichloromethane (DCM, 99.9%) (VWR), dimethylformamide (DMF, 99.8%) (VWR), toluene (anhydrous, 99.8%) (VWR), and ethyl ether (VWR). All reagents and solvents were used without further purification unless otherwise stated.

Example 1—Solution Growth of (C₄N₂H₁₄)₄SnBr₁₀ Bulk Crystals

N, N′-dimethylethylene-1,2-diammonium bromide salts were prepared by adding hydrobromic acid solution (2.2 equiv, 48%) into N, N′-dimethylethylenediamine (1 equiv) in ethanol at 0° C.

The organic salts were obtained after removal of the solvents and starting reagents under vacuum, followed by washing with ethyl ether. The salts were dried and kept in a desiccator for future use.

Tin(II) bromide and N, N′-dimethylethylene-1,2-diammonium bromide were mixed at 1:4 molar ratio and dissolved in DMF to form a clear precursor solution. Bulk single crystals were prepared by diffusing DCM into DMF solution at room temperature for overnight. The large colorless crystals were washed with acetone and dried under reduced pressure. The yield was calculated at ˜70%.

Example 2—One Pot Synthesis of (C₄N₂H₁₄)₄SnBr₁₀ Microsize Crystals

Tin(II) bromide and N, N′-dimethylethylene-1,2-diammonium bromide were mixed at 1:4 molar ratio and dissolved in DMF to form a clear precursor solution.

Microsize perovskite crystals were precipitated by adding 1 mL of the solution to 5 mL toluene with vigorously stirring in a nitrogen filled glove box at room temperature.

The product was extracted from the crude solution via centrifugation and washed with toluene, affording a white powder in a yield of ˜80% after dried under vacuum.

Example 3—Single Crystal X-Ray Diffraction (SCXRD)

The crystal structure of the bulk crystals was determined using single crystal X-Ray Diffraction (SCXRD). The SCXRD data is provided at Tables 1-3 below. The data showed a 0D structure with individual tin bromide octahedral SnBr₆ ⁴⁻ ions completely isolated from each other and surrounded by C₄N₂H₁₄ ²⁺ and BP ions, as depicted at FIG. 1A. It was believed that this unique 0D structure was a bulk assembly of core-shell quantum dots (see Yoffe, A. D., Advances in Physics 50, 1-208 (2001)), in which the organic shells wrapped around the core Sn bromide dots, as shown at FIG. 1B.

TABLE 1 Single crystal x-ray diffraction data and collection parameters. The collection was performed at a temperature of 120 K. Compound (C₄N₂H₁₄)₄SnBr₁₀ Formula [(CH₃NH₂)₂C₂H₄]₄SnBr₁₀ Molecular weight 1278.40 g/mol Space group P-1 (# 2) a 10.2070(4) Å b 10.6944(4) Å c 18.5996(6) Å α 94.043(3)° β 102.847(3)°  γ 97.904(3)° V 1949.89(12) Å³ Z 2 ρ_(calc.) 2.177 g/cm³ μ 10.922 mm⁻¹ Data collection range 2.815° < θ < 34.220° Reflections collected 57392 Independent reflections 11532 Parameters refined 540 Restraints 240 R₁, wR₂ 0.0651^(a), 0.0511^(b) Goodness-of-fit on F² 0.9933 ^(a)R₁ = Σ∥F_(o)| − |F_(c)∥/Σ|F_(o)∥. ^(b)wR₂ = [Σ w(F_(o) ² − F_(c) ²)²/Σ w(F_(o) ²)²]^(1/2)

TABLE 2 Atomic positions of (C₄N₂H₁₄)₄SnBr₁₀. All non-hydrogens were refined with anisotropic displacement parameters, while the hydrogens were refined with isotropic displacement parameters. All sites have Wyckoff position 2i. Atom x y z U_(eq), U_(iso) (Å²) Sn1 0.50513(4) 0.73268(3)  0.25379(2) 0.0165(2) Br1 0.63291(5) 0.68065(5)  0.39545(3) 0.0213(3) Br2 0.36628(5) 0.47903(5)  0.22695(3) 0.0201(2) Br3 0.71126(5) 0.65033(5)  0.18028(3) 0.0189(2) Br4 0.28362(5) 0.82142(5)  0.32885(3) 0.0209(3) Br5 0.65333(6) 1.02790(5)  0.28467(3) 0.0259(3) Br6 0.35651(6) 0.77645(5)  0.08009(3) 0.0238(3) Br7 0.89569(6) 1.31403(5)  0.15163(3) 0.0199(3) Br8 0.89768(6) 1.30727(5)  0.48454(3) 0.0208(3) Br9 −0.12538(6)   0.79197(5)  −0.02452(3)   0.0216(3) Br10 0.14702(6) 0.16762(5)  0.35492(3) 0.0264(3) N1  −0.1487(4)   0.3684(4)  0.3152(2) 0.0185(2) N2  0.1579(4) 0.4614(4)  0.4116(2) 0.0173(2) N3  0.8478(4) 1.0173(4)  0.0913(2) 0.0186(2) N4  1.1552(4) 1.1009(4)  0.1836(2) 0.0202(2) N5  0.4943(5) 1.0797(4)  0.4118(2) 0.0258(3) N6  0.5755(4) 0.3819(4)  0.0600(2) 0.0193(2) N7  1.0250(4) 0.9133(4)  0.4135(2) 0.0201(2) N8  0.1107(4) 0.5285(4)  0.0968(2) 0.0197(2) C9  −0.0652(5)   0.4954(5)  0.3320(3) 0.0182(3) C10  0.0849(5) 0.4963(5)  0.3395(3) 0.0212(3) C11  0.3103(5) 0.4950(5)  0.4238(3) 0.0230(3) C12  −0.2975(5)   0.3758(5)  0.3025(3) 0.0207(3) C13  0.9227(5) 0.9734(5)  0.1602(3) 0.0203(3) C14  1.0719(6) 0.9736(5)  0.1650(3) 0.0220(3) C15  1.3043(6) 1.0942(5)  0.1964(3) 0.0246(3) C16  0.6981(6) 0.9905(5)  0.0830(3) 0.0268(3) C17  0.5067(6) 1.2206(6)  0.4308(3) 0.0305(3) C18  0.5471(6) 1.0070(5)  0.4745(3) 0.0263(3) C19  0.4689(5) 0.4533(5)  0.0221(3) 0.0207(3) C20  0.5201(6) 0.2788(5)  0.1004(3) 0.0249(3) C21  0.9498(5) 0.9674(5)  0.4659(3) 0.0189(3) C22  0.9346(5) 0.8435(5)  0.3441(3) 0.0206(3) C23  0.0734(5) 0.5268(5)  0.0151(3) 0.0167(3) C24  0.0588(6) 0.6265(5)  0.1381(3) 0.0228(3) H11  −0.126(2)    0.325(2)  0.3526(13)  0.028(2) H12  −0.133(2)    0.327(2)  0.2764(13)  0.027(2) H21  0.129(2)  0.498(3)  0.4479(12)  0.026(2) H22  0.139(2)  0.3787(19)  0.4125(15)  0.026(2) H31  0.873(2)  1.0995(19)  0.0918(15)  0.029(2) H32  0.870(2)  0.980(3)  0.0524(12)  0.029(2) H41  1.131(2)  1.145(2)  0.1472(13)  0.031(2) H42  1.138(2)  1.140(2)  0.2225(13)  0.031(2) H51  0.541(3)  1.068(2)  0.3776(14)  0.039(2) H52  0.410(2)  1.046(2)  0.3915(16)  0.039(2) H61  0.642(2)  0.434(2)  0.0903(13)  0.028(2) H62  0.619(3)  0.350(2)  0.0275(13)  0.028(2) H71  1.083(3)  0.976(2)  0.4017(14)  0.030(2) H72  1.075(3)  0.861(2)  0.4371(12)  0.030(2) H81  0.200(2)  0.533(3)  0.1126(13)  0.029(2) H82  0.080(3)  0.452(2)  0.1078(13)  0.028(2) H91  −0.081(3)    0.532(3)  0.3771(13)  0.022(2) H92  −0.097(2)    0.542(2)  0.2916(14)  0.022(2) H101  0.124(2)  0.580(2)  0.3343(16)  0.025(2) H102  0.096(3)  0.435(3)  0.3013(13)  0.026(2) H111  0.357(3)  0.463(4)  0.4678(16)  0.036(2) H112  0.337(3)  0.587(2)  0.429(2)  0.035(2) H113  0.337(3)  0.458(4)  0.3828(16)  0.035(2) H123  −0.350(3)    0.293(2)  0.288(2)  0.031(2) H122  −0.318(3)    0.412(4)  0.3468(14)  0.031(2) H121  −0.323(3)    0.427(3)  0.2635(17)  0.031(2) H131  0.913(3)  1.029(3)  0.2012(12)  0.025(2) H132  0.883(2)  0.888(2)  0.1617(16)  0.025(2) H141  1.105(3)  0.924(2)  0.2044(14)  0.026(2) H142  1.087(3)  0.940(3)  0.1188(13)  0.026(2) H151  1.355(3)  1.178(2)  0.211(2)  0.037(2) H152  1.322(3)  1.058(4)  0.1514(14)  0.037(2) H153  1.328(3)  1.042(3)  0.2353(18)  0.037(2) H163  0.651(3)  1.023(4)  0.0395(16)  0.039(2) H162  0.675(3)  1.031(4)  0.1248(16)  0.039(2) H161  0.666(3)  0.900(2)  0.079(2)  0.039(2) H173  0.463(4)  1.257(3)  0.3877(14)  0.044(2) H172  0.601(2)  1.255(3)  0.446(2)  0.045(2) H171  0.462(4)  1.237(3)  0.4705(19)  0.045(2) H181  0.634(2)  1.052(3)  0.5003(13)  0.030(2) H182  0.560(3)  0.925(2)  0.4537(14)  0.030(2) H191  0.436(3)  0.500(2)  0.0596(13)  0.025(2) H192  0.397(2)  0.395(2)  −0.0089(14)    0.025(2) H203  0.591(3)  0.234(3)  0.123(2)  0.035(2) H202  0.479(4)  0.313(3)  0.1381(18)  0.036(2) H201  0.453(3)  0.220(3)  0.0662(14)  0.036(2) H211  0.901(3)  1.028(2)  0.4411(13)  0.024(2) H212  0.892(3)  0.899(2)  0.4794(14)  0.024(2) H223  0.988(3)  0.804(3)  0.3149(16)  0.029(2) H222  0.888(3)  0.903(2)  0.3172(16)  0.029(2) H221  0.868(3)  0.782(3)  0.3574(15)  0.029(2) H231  0.089(3)  0.613(2)  0.0028(14)  0.020(2) H232  0.126(2)  0.475(3)  −0.0067(13)    0.021(2) H243  0.108(3)  0.636(3)  0.1880(12)  0.035(2) H242  0.073(4)  0.704(2)  0.1169(18)  0.035(2) H241  −0.036(2)    0.600(3)  0.135(2)  0.035(2)

TABLE 3 Selected bonds and angles for (C₄N₂H₁₄)₄SnBr₁₀. Bond Distance (Å) Sn1—Br1 2.798 Sn1—Br2 2.838 Sn1—Br3 2.948 Sn1—Br4 3.125 Sn1—Br5 3.260 Sn1—Br6 3.345 Br1—Br8 4.795 Br1—Br10 4.747 Br2—Br7 4.741 Br2—Br9 4.583 Br2—Br10 4.817 Br3—Br7 4.336 Br3—Br9 4.746 Br4—Br8 4.494 Br4—Br10 4.166 Br5—Br7 4.828 Br5—Br8 4.607 Br5—Br10 4.905 Br6—Br7 4.464 Br6—Br9 4.901 Br7—Br9 3.897 Br8—Br10 4.217 Bonds Angle (°) Br1—Sn1—Br6 176.22 Br2—Sn1—Br5 177.75 Br3—Sn1—Br4 178.91

The foregoing single crystal x-ray diffraction data of (C₄N₂H₁₄)₄SnBr₁₀ was collected using an Oxford-Diffraction Xcalibur-2 CCD diffractometer with graphite-monochromated Mo Kα radiation.

The crystal was mounted in a cryoloop under Paratone-N oil and cooled to 120 K with an Oxford-Diffraction Cryojet. A complete sphere of data was collected using co scans with 1° frame widths to a resolution of 0.6 Å, equivalent to 2θ≈72.5°.

Reflections were recorded, indexed and corrected for absorption using the Oxford-Diffraction CrysAlisPro software, and subsequent structure determination and refinement was carried out using CRYSTALS, employing Superflip to solve the crystal structure. The data did not allow for an unconstrained refinement: all hydrogens were restrained to the connecting nitrogen or carbon.

The refinement was performed against F², with anisotropic thermal displacement parameters for all non-hydrogen atoms and with isotropic thermal displacement parameters for the hydrogens in the structure. Diamond was used as the crystal structure visualization software for the images presented in the manuscript.

Example 4—Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD)

The PXRD analysis was performed on Panalytical X'PERT Pro Powder X-Ray Diffractometer using Copper X-ray tube (standard) radiation at a voltage of 40 kV and 40 mA, and X'Celerator RTMS detector. The diffraction pattern was scanned over the angular range of 5-50 degree (2θ) with a step size of 0.02, at room temperature. Simulated powder patterns were calculated by Mercury software using the crystallographic information file (CIF) from single-crystal x-ray experiment.

The powder XRD (PXRD) patterns of ball-milled powders of bulk crystals (Example 1) and microsize crystals (Example 2) displayed almost identical features, as shown at FIG. 2, which was believed to indicate that both samples had the same crystal structure.

Example 5—Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) (FIG. 3), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) (FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4C), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)(FIG. 5) were also used to characterize the prepared samples, which further confirmed that the bulk crystals prepared by solution growth and the microsize crystals prepared by one-pot synthesis possess the same compositions with only difference in crystal size.

TGA was carried out using a TA instruments Q50 TGA system. The samples were heated from room temperature (˜22° C.) to 800° C. with at a rate of 5° C.·min⁻¹, under an argon flux of 40 mL·min⁻¹.

AFM measurements were conducted using Bruker Icon. All measurements were performed in the standard tapping mode in air with OTESPA tips from Bruker. FIG. 4A is a 2D AFM image of a microsize crystal (Example 2), and FIG. 4B is a 3D AFM image of the same crystal. FIG. 4C is a height profile of the 2D AFM image of FIG. 4A.

SEM images were taken using a FEI Nova NanoSEM 400. FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D are SEM images of the 0D Sn bromide perovskite of Example 2.

Example 6—Absorption Spectrum Measurements and Photoluminescence Steady State Studies

Absorption spectra of both the bulk (Example 1) and microsize (Example 2) perovskite crystals were measured at room temperature through synchronous scan in an integrating sphere incorporated into the spectrofluorometer (FLS980, Edinburgh Instruments) while maintaining a 1 nm interval between the excitation and emission monochromators.

Steady-state photoluminescence spectra of both bulk (Example 1) and microsize (Example 2) crystals in solid state were obtained at room temperature and 77 K (liquid nitrogen was used to cool the samples) on a FLS980 spectrofluorometer.

The photophysical properties of the prepared bulk and microsize 0D Sn bromide perovskite crystals were investigated using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, as well as steady state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopies. FIG. 6 depicts the images of the bulk and microsize crystals under ambient light and a hand-held UV lamp irradiation (365 nm). Both the bulk and microsize crystals showed white color under ambient light, and displayed strong yellow emission under UV irradiation.

FIG. 7 depicts the absorption and emission spectra of the bulk (Example 1) and microsize (Example 2) crystals.

A large apparent Stokes shift of >0.7 eV between the absorption and emission is observed, with the absorption edged at around 425 nm and the emission peaked at around 570 nm. The yellow emission also displayed a large full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ˜105 nm (0.40 eV), which is similar to that of the widely used cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Ce:YAG) yellow phosphor (see Tucureanu, V., et al. Opto-Electron Rev 23, 239-251, (2015)).

The broadband yellow emission with large apparent Stokes shift was believed to suggest that it was not from the direct free exciton excited states, but rather other excited states with lower energy. It is known for metal halides that the formation of self-trapped excited states can be dependent on the dimensionality of the crystalline systems (see, e.g., Williams, R. T. et al. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 51, 679-716 (1990); Shinozuka, Y. et al. Journal of the Physical Society of Japan 64, 3007-3017(1995); Georgiev, M., et al. Pure Appl Chem 67, 447-456 (1995); Ishida, K. Z Phys B Con Mat 102, 483-491(1997); and Wu, X. X. et al. J Am Chem Soc 137, 2089-2096 (2015)).

It was believed that 0D structured systems with the strongest quantum confinement would be most favorable for the formation of self-trapped excited states, because, at least in part, there was no potential energy barrier separating the free exciton and self-trapped excited states. The yellow emission from the 0D Sn bromide perovskites was very similar to the 2.2 eV emission from SnBr₂ crystals at low temperature, which was believed to be attributed to the radiative decay of self-trapped excitons (see Yamasaki, Y. et al. International Journal of Modern Physics B 15, 4009-4012 (2001)).

Therefore, the excited state processes for the 0D Sn bromide perovskites of the foregoing examples could be depicted in the configuration coordinate diagram shown at FIG. 8. FIG. 8 depicts the mechanism of exciton self-trapping, including a configuration coordinate diagram for the self-trapped excitons in 0D Sn bromide perovskites (the straight and curved arrows represent optical and relaxation situations, respectively). Upon photon absorption, the perovskites were excited to the high energy free exciton excited states, which were believed to undergo ultrafast relaxation to the lower energy multiple self-trapped excited states to generate broadband photoluminescence. This behavior appeared to be very similar to that of heavy metal phosphorescent materials, because the molecules were believed to be photo-excited to the singlet states, which underwent ultrafast intersystem crossing to form the lower energy triplet states that caused phosphorescent emission. Unlike corrugated 2D and 1D perovskites emitting from both free exciton and self-trapped excited states at room temperature due to thermally activated equilibrium, the 0D perovskites of the foregoing examples were believed to emit from the self-trapped excited states only, further confirming that 0D structures most favor exciton self-trapping.

Example 7—Photoluminescence Quantum Efficiencies (PLQEs)

The PLQEs of bulk (Example 1) and microsize (Example 2) crystals were measured to be near-unity (95±5%), as shown at FIG. 9, which was believed to be the highest value yet achieved for any metal halide perovskite. FIG. 9 shows the excitation line of reference and emission spectrum of the metal halide perovskite of Example 1 collected by an integrated sphere.

For photoluminescence quantum efficiency measurement, the samples were excited using light output from a housed 450 W Xe lamp passed through a single grating (1800 l/mm, 250 nm blaze) Czerny-Turner monochromator and finally a 5 nm bandwidth slit.

Emission from the sample was passed through a single grating (1800 l/mm, 500 nm blaze) Czerny-Turner monochromator (5 nm bandwidth) and detected by a Peltier-cooled Hamamatsu R₉₂₈ photomultiplier tube. The absolute quantum efficiencies were acquired using an integrating sphere incorporated into the FLS980 spectrofluorometer.

The PLQE was calculated by the equation: η_(QE)=I_(S)/(E_(R)−E_(S)), in which Is represents the luminescence emission spectrum of the sample, E_(R) is the spectrum of the excitation light from the empty integrated sphere (without the sample), and E_(S) is the excitation spectrum for exciting the sample.

Control samples, rhodamine 101 and blue phosphor BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²′, were measured using this method to give PLQEs of ˜98% and ˜93%, which are close to the literature reported values. The PLQEs were double confirmed by a Hamamatsu C9920 system equipped with a xenon lamp, calibrated integrating sphere and model C10027 photonic multi-channel analyzer (PMA).

Example 8—Time-Resolved Photoluminescence

FIG. 10 depicts the decay curves of yellow emissions from the bulk and microsize crystals at room temperature, giving almost identical lifetimes of ˜2.2 μs.

Time-Resolved Emission data were collected at room temperature and 77 K (liquid nitrogen was used to cool the samples) using time-correlated single photon counting on a Horiba JY Fluoromax-4 Fluorometer. Samples were excited with 295 nm pulsed diode lasers. Emission counts were monitored at 530 nm. The average lifetime was obtained by multiexponential fitting.

Example 9—PL Intensity Dependence on Excitation Power Density

To verify the origin of the yellow emission from the intrinsic self-trapped excited states, the dependence of emission intensity on excitation power for bulk (Example 1) and microsize (Example 2) crystals at room temperature was measured, as well as their emissions at 77 K. As shown in FIG. 11, the intensity of the broadband emission exhibits a linear dependence on the excitation power up to 500 W/cm², which was believed to suggest that the emission did not arise from permanent defects (see Dohner, E. R., et al. J Am Chem Soc 136, 13154-13157 (2014)).

FIG. 12 shows the emission spectra of bulk and microsize crystals at 77 K, which have a much smaller FWHM of 62 nm, as compared to 105 nm at room temperature. This narrowing was consistent with the theoretical and experimental results obtained for lead halide perovskites with exciton self-trapping, where there are multiple self-trapped excited states and vibrational bands giving different emission energies at room temperature, but fewer favorable ones with less vibrational transactions at low temperature.

The emission peaks blue shift at 77 K (from 570 to 530 nm) with the lifetimes (˜2.0 μs) slightly shorter than those at room temperature, which was believed to suggest that the excitons may concentrate more on the lower energy excited states with larger band gap and faster decay rate, i.e. the first downward pointing arrow in FIG. 8.

PL intensity versus power studies were carried out on an Edinburgh Instruments PL980-KS transient absorption spectrometer using a Continuum Nd:YAG laser (Surelite EX) pumping a Continuum Optical Parametric Oscillator (Horizon II OPO) to provide 360 nm 5 ns pulses at 1 Hz. The pump beam profile was carefully defined by using collimated laser pulses passed through an iris set to 5 mm diameter. Pulse intensity was monitored by a power meter (Ophir PE10BF-C) detecting the reflection from a beam splitter. The power meter and neutral density filters were calibrated using an identical power meter placed at the sample position. Neutral density filters and an external power attenuator were used to reduce the pump's power density to the desired power range. Detection consisted of an Andor intensified CCD (1024×256 element) camera collecting a spectrum from 287 nm to 868 nm and gated to optimize PL collection (typically a 30 to 50 ns gate depending on PL lifetime starting immediately following the 5 ns laser pulse). 100 collections were averaged at each power level with every laser pulse monitored to determine the average intensity. PL intensity was determined at the maximum of the PL emission curve.

Example 10—Materials Photostability Study

To test the photostability, a 100 W 20 V mercury short arc lamp was used as continuous irradiation light source. The intensity of the irradiation was calibrated to 150 mW/cm². The photoluminescence was measured at periodic intervals on a HORIBA iHR₃₂₀ spectrofluorimeter, equipped with a HORIBA Synapse CCD detection system.

The Sn based materials of the foregoing examples showed great photostability under continuous high power mercury lamp irradiation (150 mW/cm²), with more stable emission recorded in nitrogen environment than in air (FIG. 13).

Example 11—UV Pumped LEDs

To demonstrate the potential application of the foregoing 0D Sn bromide perovskites as yellow phosphor, optically pumped white LEDs were fabricated by blending the microsize crystals (Example 2) with commercial blue phosphors (BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺) in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix.

Considering the excitations of both the yellow and blue phosphors in the UV region (see FIG. 14), a commercial UV LED (340 nm) was used as the light source. FIG. 15 depicts the images of blue phosphors, yellow phosphors, and their blends with different weight rations (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1) embedded in PDMS under ambient light and a hand-held UV lamp irradiation.

The emission spectra of UV pumped LEDs, in which phosphors doped PDMS films were attached to the commercial UV LED, are shown at FIG. 16. The CIE color coordinates and Correlated Color Temperatures (CCTs) are shown at FIG. 17.

A range of “warm” to “cold” white lights was achieved by controlling the blending ratio between the two phosphors. With a blue/yellow weight ratio of 1:1, a white emission with CIE coordinates of (0.32, 0.35), a CCT of 6260 K, and a color-rendering index (CRI) of 75, was obtained.

Excellent color stability was observed in this white LED at different operating currents, as shown at FIG. 18. It was believed that this was due to the little-to-no energy transfer from the blue phosphors to the yellow phosphors, as there was a minimum overlap between the excitation of yellow phosphors and the emission of blue phosphors (FIG. 14). The white LED also showed great device stability in air with almost no change of light brightness and color during the preliminary testing, i.e., the device continuously on at ˜400 cd/m² for more than eight hours under the same operating power (FIG. 19).

The blue (BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺) and yellow ((C₄N₂H₁₄)₄SnBr₁₀) phosphors were blended with Sylgard 184 polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) encapsulant, and put in a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) mold to control shape and thickness.

The whole mold was heated at 100° C. for 40 min in an oven to cure PDMS. The phosphors doped PDMS films were then attached to a UVTOP® UV LED with window, 340 nm, 0.33 mW (THORLABS) to form UV pumped LEDs. The LEDs were driven by a Keithly 2400 sourcemeter and emission spectra were recorded on an Ocean Optics USB4000 Miniature Fiber Optic Spectrometer. For device stability test, a white light LED was continuously powered by a Keithley 2400 at a stable current power to give a brightness of ˜400 cd/m². Emission spectra were recorded at periodic intervals using an Ocean Optics USB4000 Miniature Fiber Optic Spectrometer.

Example 12—0D Tin Iodide Perovskites

Using the procedures of Examples 1 and 2, a series of 0D tin iodide perovskites were made. The 0D tin iodide perovskites of this example had the following structure:

(C₄N₂H₁₄)₄[SnI₆]I₄

FIG. 20 shows the emission spectra of the sample of bulk crystals of this example at room temperature (R.T.) and 77 K. The bulk crystals of this example had a largest dimension of about 1 mm, and a thickness of about 0.5 mm. The emission data indicated that the crystals of this example released red light (from 620 to 650 nm), which demonstrated that altering the halide ion was used successfully to tune or change the color of light emitted by the 0D perovskites of Examples 1 and 2, and those of the current example.

While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, disclosed herein are specific illustrative embodiments thereof that exemplify the principles of the invention. It should be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated. 

We claim:
 1. A method of making a metal halide perovskite, the method comprising: contacting an organic ligand halide salt with a metal halide in a liquid to form a precursor liquid; and mixing the precursor liquid with an organic liquid to form micro crystals of the metal halide perovskite, wherein the micro crystals have a 0D structure.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting an organic ligand precursor with an acid of formula HX, wherein X is a halogen, to form the organic ligand halide salt.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein— (i) the acid is HBr, (ii) the organic ligand precursor is N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, (iii) the organic ligand halide salt is N, N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diammonium bromide, and (iv) the metal halide is tin(II) bromide.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the organic ligand precursor is selected from the group consisting of—


5. The method of claim 2, wherein the organic ligand precursor is N,N-dimethylethylenediamine:


6. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises dimethylformamide (DMF), and the organic liquid comprises toluene.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises dimethylformamide (DMF).
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the organic liquid comprises toluene.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal halide comprises tin(II) bromide.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal halide and the organic ligand halide salt are present in the precursor liquid at a molar ratio of about 1:2 to about 1:6 (metal halide:organic ligand halide salt).
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal halide and the organic ligand halide salt are present in the precursor liquid at a molar ratio of about 1:3 to about 1:5 (metal halide:organic ligand halide salt).
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the micro crystals are formed at a yield of at least 50%.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein a volume ratio of the precursor liquid to the organic liquid, upon complete addition of the precursor liquid to the organic liquid, is about 1:2 to about 1:6.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein a volume ratio of the precursor liquid to the organic liquid, upon complete addition of the precursor liquid to the organic liquid, is about 1:3 to about 1:5.
 15. A method of making a metal halide perovskite, the method comprising: contacting an organic ligand precursor with an acid of formula HX, wherein X is a halogen, to form an organic ligand halide salt; contacting the organic ligand halide salt with a metal halide in a liquid to form a precursor liquid, wherein a molar ratio of the metal halide to the organic ligand halide salt in the precursor liquid is about 1:2 to about 1:6; and mixing the precursor liquid with an organic liquid to form micro crystals of the metal halide perovskite, wherein a volume ratio of the precursor liquid to the organic liquid, upon complete addition of the precursor liquid to the organic liquid, is about 1:2 to about 1:6, and wherein the micro crystals have a 0D structure.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein— (i) the acid is HBr, (ii) the organic ligand precursor is N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, (iii) the organic ligand halide salt is N, N′-dimethylethane-1,2-diammonium bromide, and (iv) the metal halide is tin(II) bromide.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the organic ligand precursor is selected from the group consisting of—


18. The method of claim 15, wherein the organic ligand precursor is N,N-dimethylethylenediamine: 